I had been hanging onto a blue & white beefy cotton knit (interlock?) for YEARS. I thought it would work perfect for this tee, since I had plenty to work with and could do the cool bias neckband and pocket, as featured on the cover illustration.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a draft error in my copy of the pattern. The neckband piece is WAY too short. Here's the neckband from the front:
There was no way to attach the neckband without super-stretching the t-shirt neck out of whack, resulting in numerous puckers and gathers. AND...on the back, there are at least 2 inches that I simply cannot ease into the neckline. I had less than 1 inch of neckline left but more than 2 inches of neckband left to ease in!
A quick perusal of PR shows a couple of reviewers had the same problem.
I think I've been spoiled by the excellent results I've had with Ottobre Woman neckbands and bindings. In my experience, the OW neckbands/bindings are always spot on as far as length, so I completely trust the pattern piece. I never have to fiddle with putting those bindings on.
I probably should have measured the neckband piece more carefully against the neckline, but really? If I pay this kind of money for a pattern, I expect someone to have done all that for me. (Yup, I'm still a little annoyed about it.)
Sigh. Now I have to either toss this whole shirt (I've saved this fabric for *literally* a decade!) or pick out that neckband and cut a new one, if I can find enough scraps to do so. The other alternative is to find some white ribbing or possibly use some of my FOE to bind the neckline.
For now I'm moving on to the new Ottobre Woman I posted about earlier this week. I can't wait to get started on those garments! And here's a sneaky-peek of my new baby...Can you guess what she is???
More pictures and drooling to come.
Sorry about your wadder. I had the same problem last weekend, but think you can save your top.
ReplyDeleteahh that really stinks!!! I hate it when you do all that work and just get fed up. But I say give it a little time and then hop back on the horse.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of OW, I just got my first issue which is the same as yours and I am absolutely in love the the layout and the wonderful instructions. I bought it to make the #11. Nanette jacket and was surprised by the tailoring details that the magazine included. I have become so used to the one paragraph burda magazine instructions. Wish they had a few more patterns I was totally in love with but that didn't keep me from buying two back issues and signing up for a subscription LOL!!
I hope you can salvage the top; those blue and white stripes are so cheery.
ReplyDeleteI do not trust HP for accuracy, and find the lack of proof-reading in their patterns and instructions baffling. Why say (for example) "sew this seam to the notch" and then OMIT the notch mark on the pattern? Shouldn't someone catch that?
Ooops, didn't mean to rant. I'm taking a break from sewing up my HP Marrakesh Pants because the fly-front zip instructions just about gave me an aneurism. I feel your pain!
I vote for FOE. BTW, I don't believe any "suggestion" for neckband lengths. I learned the hardway to baste, press and rip as needed.
ReplyDeleteBut I haven't tried Ottobre woman. I may do that yet!
Angie
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame. Now, send a link to this post to Hot Patterns. They need to know and owe you an answer. You'll also be helping the rest of us indirectly and giving a small company the opportunity to improve and hang on in tough and competitive times.
Irritating!!! I hate it when I want a quick fix and it ends in annoyance.
ReplyDeleteThat is aggravating, Angie. You posted some great garments from OW, can't wait to see what you make.
ReplyDeleteI had the same problem with this pattern (however, I had enough fabric to cut another band. The other thing for me about this one is that the underarm seams seems too short and cuts into my underarm. Probably won't use this pattern again. and it looks so cute on the pattern envelope!
ReplyDeleteBummer. I've heard that HP sometimes has problems like this, which is making me nervous to try either of the two I just ordered. Lots of pieces means lots of places for trouble. Not least of all, user error! I'm sure you can find a way to still make this top work though.
ReplyDeleteHP is really confusing and irritating patterns.I stay away from them after once having a huge wadder
ReplyDeleteA Singer Featherweight 221! I know those beauties when I seem 'em! I have one, too. You lucky thing!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your wadder. Ugh.
Sorry you had such a frustrating experience but I really think you should save it! The fabric is lovely, and I vote for a red neckband.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately HP is notorious for bad instructions. I love their designs though, and I know in advance I'll have to sew them using my own knowledge of how things go together. As far as the neckband, I would piee together a new one and apply it using another method. I love the look of that T. Love the horizontal stripes. I made one, similar, using my own Tshirt pattern.
ReplyDeleteFew things are less fun that unpicking stitches in knit fabric, but if the tee fits well, save it! If your hair falls below your neck, maybe you can add a few (unmatching) inches of length to the neckband at center back.
ReplyDeleteCan you cut the neckband right off instead of picking it out? That would be my first choice.
ReplyDeleteCute little Featherweight! They are fun just to look at, but they actually sew very nicely too.
The same thing happened to me when I made this pattern up about 18 months ago!
ReplyDeleteI had some left over fabric and was able to have another go with the neck band, but then the neck band sagged (I knew it needed the pattern piece to be longer, but I didn't know how much longer, and I over did it.) In the end, I just gave up.
I have steered clear of Hot Patterns in the past because I kept hearing about drafting issues. Guess I'll keep on avoiding them based on your latest experience. How annoying!
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the top. I just bought OW too, and I'm so motivated to make something. I love the coat you pointed out - so flattering. Good luck with your next project!
ReplyDeleteI *really* hate that when it happens! I'm sure you can salvage it with FOE or a simple binding.
ReplyDeleteIt is so irritating when you think you are going to whip out a shirt in a few hours and then you hit some snags. And it takes forever. If I adore a pattern I might go to the trouble of picking out the band, but if I am in a stressful period of life I might go ahead and wad up. If I am on the fence I wad up, push into the top of my crafts bookshelf and wait for a time when emotions do not run so high.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen an Ottobre woman magazine. I wish my stores carried them so I could tell if I would like to subscribe.
too bad about the top.. but it looks like you have a gorgeous featherweight there to soothe the frustration from that wadder!
ReplyDeleteYou should be able to fix the tshirt if you have enough fabric to cut a new neckband. Just measure around the neck and cut the same length with seam allowance on the bias at the width you need. If you dont have any left, try a white contrast. Hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteI have a Featherweight that my dad found for super cheap, like $5, still in the original case with manual and attachments! I haven't had it serviced so haven't used it, curious to see how they sew though!
ReplyDelete